Summoning from scrolls

[Confused Dad]

If a Druid with the Greenbound feat casts Summon Monster x from a scroll, does the summoned creature have the Greenbound Template? Does it matter if the scroll was written by the druid himself?

Similar question for a Wizard with the Augment Summoning feat or a sorcerer with the Fiendish Summoning Specialist feat.

What about Extend Spell feat for any of the above?

[Yora]

As I understand it, the spell is cast when the scroll is created, but the effect is delayed until the scroll is used.
So if a GB druid casts a spell from a scroll, it's not a GB summon. But if the scroll was created by a GB druid, it will always be a GB summon, no matter who uses the scroll.

I think the question is, if a GB summon scroll can be used by a non-GB caster, since it could be argued that it's actually a different spell that is not on the spell-list of other casters.

[Confused Dad]

So, for any spellcaster with applicable feats, the only reason to have scrolls of summon x is if you need a critter to which none of your feats will apply and u dont want to burn a spell slot?

[Daftendirekt]

Correct. The person who creates a scroll is the caster of the spell. So, if you're buying scrolls, that means you didn't create the scroll, so your caster level, feats, etc are irrelevant.

[Gamer Girl]

No.

A scroll is written as the spell is cast by the creator. The scroll creator can add in metamagic feats, and pay more to make the scroll.

The person who picks up the scroll at a later date, can not add metamagic to the spell on the scroll.

So if the druid made a Greenblood Summon spell, at the higher level and payed for it, then they would have that scroll.

[Blisstake]

So then what happens if a wizard without augment summoning uses a summon monster scroll made by a wizard with augment summoning?

[Curmudgeon]

So then what happens if a wizard without augment summoning uses a summon monster scroll made by a wizard with augment summoning?
Nothing special happens.

In every case you've just got to read the particulars. There's a difference between metamagic that affects a spell, and non-metamagic feats and class abilities that alter a magical effect. Metamagic is explicitly decided at item creation. Augment Summoning is a general feat which alters a particular type of spell, and doesn't even require that you cast it. (If you check the Dungeon Master's Guide, you'll find use of the term "cast" to refer to both spell completion (scroll) and spell trigger (wand, staff) items. You'll need to read each feat/ability description to see if it refers to something "cast" or not.)

Augment Summoning requires that the character with the feat use a spell to summon something. It doesn't require you cast it, but it's got to be an actual spell rather than a wondrous item you trigger, for instance.

[Confused Dad]

So, which (if any) feats of the person using the scroll, or other spell completion device, will apply upon use as opposed to at the time of creation?

[bloodtide]

By the rules, you can add any Metamagic feat to a scroll, when created, and the person that uses it afterward would get to use that metamagic feat too.


You can't add things like 'augment summoning' to a scroll, by the rules. But it gets a little fuzzy, if you cast summon monster from a scroll, can you use augment summoning..the rules don't say. This would be a Dm's call.

I'd say yes. You can add special stuff to any spell you cast. I'd even say you can write it into the scroll. You'd have to figure out a cost modifier for each ability. Augment summoning is a lot like casting one of the second level ability buffs, so to say that it would cost '2 spell levels' to scribe into a scroll is fine....maybe even just one.

[Curmudgeon]

You can't add things like 'augment summoning' to a scroll, by the rules. But it gets a little fuzzy, if you cast summon monster from a scroll, can you use augment summoning..the rules don't say. This would be a Dm's call.
I don't see any "fuzzy" part here.
Benefit: Each creature you conjure with any summon spell gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Strength and Constitution for the duration of the spell that summoned it. If it's a scroll you're treated as the spellcaster. From Dungeon Master's Guide on page 211:
Scrolls: A scroll is a spell magically inscribed onto paper or parchment so that it can be used later. A scroll of searing light allows a cleric to cast searing light once, as though she had prepared the spell herself, except that any level-based effects—such as range and damage—are based on the level of the scroll’s creator, not the user’s caster level. It's explicitly stated in the rules that you're casting a summon spell when you complete it from a scroll. Augment Summoning definitely applies in that case.